Last muay Thai fight at Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium

Updated 1:01 AM ET, Wed February 12, 2014

Last fight at legendary stadium13 photos

Last fight at legendary stadium – A popular Bangkok tourist attraction for those looking for an authentic night of muay Thai, famed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium held its final fight on February 8. The gritty facility, with its dirty tin roof, opened in 1956. It's already been replaced by a new, modern stadium -- the old venue will be torn down.

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Last fight at legendary stadium13 photos

Still drawing crowds – Outside the stadium, the last fights were broadcast live on a big screen. Several years ago, Crown Property Bureau, owner of the land where the stadium is located, requested the facility be moved to a new location so that it could make better use of the prime real estate it sits on. Construction on the new stadium, located in northern Bangkok on Ram Intra Road, began in 2012. It will still be called Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and is already open for fight nights.

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Capacity crowd – Fans filled the house to capacity on the last night at Bangkok's Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. The stadium holds between 8,000 and 10,000 spectators, depending on seating configuration.

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Same as always – The final night played out much like any other, though vendors and visitors expressed sadness at the facility's demise. Organizers set up several high profile fights. The main draw was Petboonchu Bhoplaboonchu, who successfully defended his lightweight belt against Senchai P.K. Sanchai.

Tourist favorite – Special commemorative tickets were printed for fans to hold onto as keepsakes.

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Still strong – Muay Thai fighters across the country have aspired for decades to make it into the ring at Lumpinee. A win can earn fighters thousands of baht and the chance of a place in muay Thai history.

Trainer – A trainer gives advice to his fighter from outside the ring at Lumpini Boxing Stadium on the final fight night. Also outside the ring, the usual scenes of frantic bet-making could be seen -- it's one of the few places where gambling is legal in Thailand.

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New stadium – According to Thai media reports, the old Lumpini Boxing Stadium will be pulled down to make way for condominiums.

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Short bouts – According to official muay Thai rules, fights normally don't exceed five rounds, with each round lasting three minutes.

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Not done yet – Muay Thai fighters get a two-minute rest between rounds.

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Wai kru – Prior to the start of the first round, both fighters pay their respects to their teachers by performing a ritual called the "wai kru." This is accompanied by traditional Thai music.

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Fight history gone? Not quite yet. – For those who want to continue watching muay Thai in a venue with a bit of history attached to it, Lumpinee isn't Bangkok's oldest muay Thai stadium. That honor goes to the Rajadamnern Stadium (not pictured), which opened in 1945 and is still holding fight nights every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.